In this moving conversation, Sandy Smith shares how pickleball became a source of strength, healing, and deep connection after her cancer journey. A pickleball player, coach, referee, and community leader, Sandy reflects on resilience, belonging, and the power of community on and off the court. Her story is a heartfelt reminder that we are far more alike than we are different, and that sometimes the smallest pickleball court holds the biggest life lessons. Reach Sandy at: ...

What happens when a competitive 5.0 player realizes medals aren’t the point anymore? 🏅➡️💛Aaron Trost, founder of Pickleball Planter, has taken pickleball to 14 countries, from youth camps in Ukraine 🇺🇦 to packed courts across Southeast Asia 🌏 using the game to bridge cultures, faiths, and hardship. In this episode, he shares funny stories, powerful moments, and the life lesson that shifted him from chasing wins to serving others. 💚✨You’ll leave inspired and seeing pickleball in a whole new wa...

Sean McCoy joins us to share a heartfelt journey from military service to mental health counseling, and how pickleball helped him rediscover play, belonging, and connection. We explore how the game can be used in therapy, why “you are enough” matters, and the healing courage behind his path forward. This conversation is full of hope, honesty, and reminders that life really is a team sport. Listen now http://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/4seanmccoy/ #Pick...

Mike Branon, bestselling author of Pickleball and the Art of Living and The Joy of Pickleball, joins us to share how positive dinking, mindset, and reinvention shape a meaningful life on and off the court. From discovering pickleball by chance to embracing joy and aging with curiosity, Mike brings a gentle mix of humor, warmth, and insight to this conversation. He reminds us that connection, presence, and a positive spirit can change the way we play—and the way we live. A heartfelt, uplifting...

Melinda Alcosser, educator, coach, drummer, and founder of With Heart Travel, shares how pickleball, connection, and intentional travel have shaped her life and sparked meaningful projects from Punta Cana to Uganda. Melinda shows how joy, presence, and curiosity aren’t just part of pickleball they are a way of living. This inspiring, thoughtful conversation will leave you seeing the game, and the world, in a whole new way. Listen now at http://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com https://...

Writer and creator Rick Cipes joins us to talk storytelling, sport, and the mindful side of the game. A longtime Pickleball Magazine contributor and author of How to Play Better Pickleball and Pickleball Riffs, Rick shares practical tools for breathing, self-talk, and finding flow on the court. We swap fun tales from his Bite-Size Pickleball world, including celebrity cameos, and explore his new docuseries Full Court Shadow about athletes stepping out of a parent’s legacy. Tune in for the lau...

Marriage and family therapist Dr. Jerry “Dr. J” Brinegar is a USA Pickleball ambassador, decorated senior competitor, and passionate teacher of adaptive pickleball for veterans with spinal cord injuries. He shares how the game brings purpose, community, and joy at every age and ability, and why fair age plus skill brackets matter for true competition. From teaching adaptive athletes to competing in national tournaments at 80+, Dr. J reminds us that you are never too old to play, to grow, or t...

Brothers Ezekiel and Matthias Wagner represent the next generation of pickleball, young players using their passion for the game to build community and connection. As Selkirk Junior Advocates, they have brought pickleball to their schools, church, and even their local fire department, inspiring others with their heart, humility, and drive. Their story is about family, faith, and the joy of growing the game together, one court at a time. 💛🎾 Tune in at: http://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodca...

Ron Ponder, Director of Officiating for the Global Pickleball Federation, has helped grow the game in communities around the world. A passionate player, teacher, and rule-maker, he shares stories of teaching, reffing, and witnessing pickleball’s power to connect people everywhere. His journey is equal parts humor, heart, and inspiration, a reminder that pickleball truly knows no borders. Listen now at http://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com ronponder@hotmail.com https://www.facebook.c...

When war forced her to flee Ukraine, Anna Glotova found unexpected healing through pickleball. What began as a way to cope with loss grew into a movement of resilience, inclusion, and hope. As cofounder of the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation, Anna is helping veterans, civilians, and adaptive players rediscover joy and unite a nation through the simple, powerful game she now calls a language of connection. Listen now at http://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/...

Riley “Smiley Riley” Palmer brings her infectious energy to pickleball both on land and at sea. From coaching and community building to designing the world’s first floating pickleball court in Croatia, Riley is turning imagination into inspiration. She shares how travel, creativity, and courage have shaped her journey, and how pickleball continues to connect people across the globe. Listen now at http://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com https://smileyrileypickleball.com https://www.ins...

When Parkinson's changed his life, Bob Gress found hope in an unexpected place, the pickleball court. Encouraged by his wife's "recliner speech," Bob discovered that movement, community, and faith could bring healing and joy. He shares how pickleball helped him rebuild strength, purpose, and connection both on and off the court. Listen to this heartfelt conversation now at https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com. #LifeLessonsFromPickleball #PickleballRevolution #PickleballCommunity #...

Want to play better and feel better on and off the court? Psychotherapist Dr. Lynn Yanni shares simple sports psychology tools that calm nerves, boost focus, and turn pressure into joy. Learn why a quick “reset,” kinder self-talk, and “forgetting the score” can transform your game and your relationships. Plus, the surprising brain science that explains why pickleball feels so good. Listen now: https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com https://www.drlynnianni.com #LifeLessonsFromPickleb...

Joesph R. Gannascoli, best known for playing Vito Spatafore on HBO's The Sopranos, shares his remarkable journey from self-taught chef to acclaimed actor and how pickleball has become an integral part of his wellness journey. Listen now to hear behind-the-scenes Sopranos stories, the 80 lbs he’s lost on the court, his “keys to life,” and how food, community, and play are shaping his next act: https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com #LifeLessonsFromPickleball #PickleballRevolution #Pi...

E73: John Gallucci Jr: Dr. JAG’s Guide to Injury Free Pickleball Dr. John Gallucci Jr. (“Dr. JAG”), CEO of JAG Physical Therapy and author of Pickleball, Pickleball, Pickleball: Don’t Get Hurt, joins us to keep you dinking strong. Discover expert tips on injury prevention, warm-up routines, and the life-changing benefits of pickleball for all ages. Tune in for practical advice to stay active and healthy on and off the court! https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com https://www.j...

Thriveologist Dr. Lee Baucom joins us to unpack what it really means to thrive - on the court and in life. Fresh off Shelley’s remarkable recovery from a serious hiking accident, we dive into beginner’s mind, the “goldfish” reset, being a great doubles partner, and building plans that prioritize learning over winning. Lee shares simple, repeatable habits for resilience, relationships, and community so you can bring more joy, purpose, and poise to every point. Practical tools you can use today...

E71: Encore! Megan Fudge: Fast, Fierce & Family-Fueled We’re bringing back a fan favorite with Megan Fudge, the APP Tour’s top-ranked female pro with 90+ medals in just three years. She takes us from discovering pickleball during COVID to life in an RV with her husband, Ryler, and their kids, Lily and JR—plus clinics and competitions across India and China. Megan shares how she empowers girls, why pickleball leads on equal pay, and how her crew lives the family-first “pursuit of excellenc...

Mani Barajas-Alexander of Costa Rica’s Pura Vida House shares how a Division 1 tennis past, a leap of faith, and a pandemic pivot became a world-class pickleball retreat that nourishes body, mind, and soul. Mani built Pura Vida House into a joyful retreat where mornings are on the court and afternoons are for zip-lines, sailing, spa time, and sunsets. We talk about pandemic pivots, coaching that communicates, and why pickleball (like life) is a beautiful game of mistakes, mindset, and connect...

Ever wondered how your everyday choices might be shaping alternate realities? Cheryl Rempis—better known as Samara Rayne—is the visionary behind Timeline Catalyst, where she blends nursing expertise with energy healing to help people align with their highest potential. In this enlightening conversation, Samara explains how every decision we make shifts us between different timelines—each carrying its own vibrational frequency and life experience.She reflects on the profound emotional healing ...

CJ Johnson, co-founder of Better Pickleball, joins us to share how she's empowering adults 50+ to play smarter, stay injury-free, and embrace their inner athlete—whether they’ve been playing for years or just picked up a paddle. With decades of coaching experience across golf, skiing, and fitness, CJ breaks down common pickleball myths, offers game-changing tips (like when not to rush the net), and reminds us that confidence and growth are always possible—on and off the court. Listen here for...